Research Korner: Thesis Conclusion

Thesis Chapter 5 on Can biblical values provide for worthy results in the provision and completion of a 12-step addictions and obsessions recovery program?

Chapter 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION   Addiction and obsession is among the many vices that one confronts in a fallen world, and no one is powerless against its temptations. In time, consistent, heartfelt, humble prayer will help release victims from the chains of addiction. Addiction is slavery; God sets slaves free. This has been the foundation of the biblically based recovery program. And apparently, it worked wonders for the respondents. In the course of the program, the respondents are apparently in constant communication with God through prayer. This is one of the keys in the success of the program, a constant nurturance of their intrapersonal qualities through the mediation of God as their guide. Prayer is communion with God. One asks forgiveness of sins and for peace from worries and fears, and we give thanks for blessings. Again, Jesus said, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them" (Mark 11:24). Acknowledging the need for God and His healing power is the first step in their recovery. The study is also firm in its position that only a person truly repentant can be saved and healed from the torment of addiction. Jesus Christ heals the sin sickness that accompanies the pain of addiction. The study has established that addiction is any thinking or behavior that is habitual, repetitious, and difficult or impossible to control.  Usually the addiction brings short-term pleasure, but there may be long-term consequences in terms of one’s health and welfare. The study also believes that all addictions have two components. The first component is the obsession, which is a mental preoccupation or craving.  While the second component of the addiction is the compulsion, which is behavior that lives out or acts out the mental obsession. Since the program is based on spiritual fortification, it is safe to assume that most of the teachings and lessons that the program utilizes comes from the Bible. According to Paul, he “will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12) The word mastered means “to control, bring under the power of.”  Paul would not allow himself to be brought under the control of anyone or anything. Likewise, it provides emphasis on the tending of our own bodies. According to Corinthians 6:19-20, our bodies are considered a temple where the Holy Spirit lives.  God the Spirit lives inside of all Christians.  Many people say they have the right to do whatever they want with their own bodies. Although they think that this is freedom, they are really enslaved to their own desires. When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit fills and lives in us. Therefore, we no longer own our bodies. “Bought at a price” refers to slaves purchased at auction. Christ’s death freed us from sin, but also obligates us to his service. If we live in a building owned by someone else, we try not to violate the building’s rules. Because our bodies belong to God, we must not violate His standards for living.  We must not pollute God's temple with the addictive sins of the flesh. Thus, it would be factual that if a person adheres to the principles of an omnipotent being, then he/she would be able to do everything in his/her power to honor God by taking care of their bodies.  However, succumbing to the earthly desires and eventually become a dependent ourselves, we must learn to overcome it. But it is essential that we have a spiritual relationship with God. Battling an addiction without God is very difficult.  However, once we obey the gospel and are baptized into Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to live in us and transform our sinful hearts.  With God in our lives, we have His help in overcome our addictions. Consequently, we need to stop the sin that is causing our addiction.  We need to say "no" (Titus 2:12) to sin and live for righteousness. In doing so, our bodies will be cleansed biologically and be subsequently regain its normal state, eliminating the dependency on a substance. The study tried to investigate the ability of biblical values to provide for worthy results in the provision of an addiction and obsessions recovery program. Specifically, the study sought the identify the effects of biblically based 12-step addictions and obsessions recovery programs; the extent where participants progress towards being free of their addictive behavior; and the characteristics that may be the key to a biblical approach to addressing addictions and compulsions. The data were gathered through interviews of four individuals who have gone through the Overcomers Anonymous Program. The said program utilizes a biblical curriculum to address the problem of addiction among the respondents.   Summary On the basis of the data gathered in relation to the statement of the problem, the following are the significant findings: 1.            Jeannie and Nick, those who took the MARET-made assessment form, apparently have the propensity to be addicted to food, religion and alcohol. These addictions significantly affect their thrill-seeking behavior, immediate gratification, fear of rejection, and coping strategies. 2.            Based on the respondents’ reactions to the “are you addicted” questions, they all are apparently dependent on a substance. This is due to the fact that the respondents satisfied the criteria wherein if a participant answered yes to three or more questions, addiction is definitely evident. 3.            The individual results from the four respondents were relatively high considering the survey was provided in their earlier stages on the program. 4.            Majority of the respondents has acquired a fast recovery rate due to the use of a biblical recovery program 5.            In the initial stages of the program, the respondents stated that they have no peace in their lives and are struggling on their addiction. They also tend to blame several hindrances on their success on other matters beside themselves. 6.            The respondents are appreciative on the chance that they are getting care of the OA. 7.            In the middle of the program, it is important to note that they stated initially that they do not experience any form of tranquility in their lives. Moreover, they are indeed battling it with their demons and it seems that everything is not going their way. It is also apparent that the program has provided the confidence they needed, 8.            On the final administration of the self-report questionnaire, all of the respondents stated that they have peace in their lives. They also asserted that they have an ample amount of confidence necessary for them to succeed. They also realized that being an overcomer is more important than being addicted.   Conclusion   Based on the summarized selection above, the study came up with several conclusions: The provision of biblical values provided worthy results in the completion of a recovery program as reflected by the recovery results of the respondents who have placed themselves on a biblically oriented recovery course known as the Overcomers Anonymous. In the previous chapter, the study has established that the respondents were indeed addicted to a substance and were voluntarily allowing themselves to be immersed to the said recovery program. Concurrently, the said chapter also provided the image of the accomplishment among the said respondents in battling their struggle with their respective addictions. Although, two of the respondents stated that they are still in strife with their recovery, results show that they have improved in a number of ways particularly in their health, mental state, and inner peace. Moreover, the study also placed its attention on the importance of a couple of factors in the level of efficiency of the program. These factors include the influence of the aspects of relationship and facilitation in the recovery program of the respondents. The study concluded that the facilitation of the twelve-step program employed by Overcomers Anonymous. Twelve-Step program, adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, consists of a brief, structured, and manual-driven approach to facilitating early recovery from alcohol abuse/alcoholism and other drug abuse/addiction. It is intended to be implemented on an individual basis in 12 to 15 sessions and is based in behavioral, spiritual, and cognitive principles that form the core of 12-step fellowships. It is suitable for problem drinkers and other drug users and for those who are alcohol or other drug dependent The role facilitation in the program is broadly defined as including education and advocacy, guidance and advice, and empathy and motivation. Each of these broad goals is broken down further into a series of specific guidelines or objectives. For example, guidance and support include monitoring client involvement in OA, encouraging clients to volunteer for basic service work, identifying appropriate social events the client might participate in, and locating appropriate meetings. Moreover, facilitation seeks to deal with resistance through open discussion and through a process of shaping the client's behavior and attitudes. The methods employed for this shaping include consistent reinforcement of progress, acceptance of resistance, reframing of 12-step concepts (which are not dogmatically set), and compromise. The client is often asked to keep an open mind, to listen, and to try to identify with one or more of the people they hear at meetings. This is then discussed in the review part of each session. The client is consistently told that he or she can accept or reject an aspect of 12-step philosophy and that the fellowship can still be a vital source of support for early recovery. In the case of the respondents, they all emulated the principles of the program primarily due to the method of facilitation through spiritual upliftment. In addition, the theoretical rationale of the Overcomers Anonymous is based in the 12 steps and 12 traditions of AA and includes the need to accept that willpower alone is not sufficient to achieve sustained sobriety that self-centeredness must be replaced by surrender to the group conscience, and that long-term recovery consists of a process of spiritual renewal. The primary mechanism action is active participation and a willingness to accept a higher power as the locus of change in one's life. This idea thus emulates the significance of relationships among the recovering dependents. The relationship of the respondents among its immediate relatives is similarly vital for the improvement of the recovery process of the individual as those acquired from the acquaintances and loved ones of the respondents. Concurrently, the reinforcement that the respondents achieve from its program facilitators is similarly important to the reinforcement that the respondents received from its relatives. This is reflected when the respondents, in due course of the program, achieved self-respect and acquired self-confidence. The study further posits that an addiction is a disorder not a disease.  It is something that one could overcome. It is something that could be cured. And the use of a biblically oriented program would allow the dependent on a successful recovery as well as a completely mended spiritual well-being and a closer relationship with God.

Thesis Chapter 5 on Can biblical values provide for worthy results in the provision and completion of a 12-step addictions and obsessions recovery program?

Chapter 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION Addiction and obsession is among the many vices that one confronts in a fallen world, and no one is ...